Synthetic antigens for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus

ABSTRACT

Peptide sequences are provided which are capable of mimicking proteins encoded by HCV for use as reagents for screening of blood and blood products for prior exposure to HCV. The peptides are at least 5 amino acids long and can be used in various specific assays for the detection of antibodies to HCV, for the detection of HCV antigens, or as immunogens.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/920,286, filed Oct. 14, 1992 abandoned, which is a 371 of PCT/EP91/02409, filed Dec. 31, 1991.

The implementation of systematic testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been instrumental in eliminating this virus from the blood supply. Nevertheless, a significant number of post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH) cases still occur. These cases are generally attributable to non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) virus(es), the diagnosis of which is usually made by exclusion of other viral markers.

The etiological agent responsible for a large proportion of these cases has recently been cloned (Choo, Q-L et al. Science (1988) 244:359-362) and a first-generation antibody test developed (Kuo, G. et al. Science (1989) 244:362-364). The agent has been identified as a positive-stranded RNA virus, and the sequence of its genome has been partially determined. Studies suggest that this virus, referred to subsequently as hepatitis C virus (HCV), may be related to flaviviruses and pestiviruses. A portion of the genome of an HCV isolated from a chimpanzee (HCV_(CDC/CHI)) is disclosed in EPO 88310922.5. The coding sequences disclosed in this document do not include sequences originating from the 5'-end of the viral genome which code for putative structural proteins. Recently however, sequences derived from this region of the HCV genome have been published (Okamoto, H. et al., Japan J. Exp. Med. 60:167-177, 1990.). The amino acid sequences encoded by the Japanese clone HC-J1 were combined with the HCV_(CDC/CHI) sequences in a region where the two sequences overlap to generate the composite sequence depicted in FIG. 1. Specifically, the two sequences were joined at glycine₄₅. It should be emphasized that the numbering system used for the HCV amino acid sequence is not intended to be absolute since the existence of variant HCV strains harboring deletions or insertions is highly probable. Sequences corresponding to the 5' end of the HCV genome have also recently been disclosed in EPO 90302866.0.

In order to detect potential carriers of HCV, it is necessary to have access to large amounts of viral proteins. In the case of HCV, there is currently no known method for culturing the virus, which precludes the use of virus-infected cultures as a source of viral antigens. The current first-generation antibody test makes use of a fusion protein containing a sequence of 363 amino acids encoded by the HCV genome. It was found that antibodies to this protein could be detected in 75 to 85% of chronic NANBH patients. In contrast, only approximately 15% of those patients who were in the acute phase of the disease, had antibodies which recognized this fusion protein (Kuo, G. et al. Science (1989) 244:362-364). The absence of suitable confirmatory tests, however, makes it difficult to verify these statistics. The seeming similarity between the HCV genome and that of flaviviruses makes it possible to predict the location of epitopes which are likely to be of diagnostic value. An analysis of the HCV genome reveals the presence of a continuous long open reading frame. Viral RNA is presumably translated into a long polyprotein which is subsequently cleaved by cellular and/or viral proteases. By analogy with, for example, Dengue virus, the viral structural proteins are presumed to be derived from the amino-terminal third of the viral polyprotein. At the present time, the precise sites at which the polyprotein is cleaved can only be surmised. Nevertheless, the structural proteins are likely to contain epitopes which would be useful for diagnostic purposes, both for the detection of antibodies as well as for raising antibodies which could subsequently be used for the detection of viral antigens. Similarly, domains of nonstructural proteins are also expected to contain epitopes of diagnostic value, even though these proteins are not found as structural components of virus particles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D shows the amino acid sequence of the composite HCV_(HC-J1/CDC/CHI) (SEQ ID NO:23)

FIGS. 2A-2L show the antibody binding to individual peptides and various mixtures in an ELISA assay. Coating combinations used for FIGS. 2A-2L are as follows:

1:IX,2:XVIII, 3:1,4:III,5:V,6:IX+XVIII,7:I+XVIII,8:I+III+IX, 9:I+III+V+XVIII,10:I+III+V+IX,11:I+III+IX+XVIII,12:I+III+V+IX+XVIII.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

It is known that RNA viruses frequently exhibit a high rate of spontaneous mutation and, as such, it is to be expected that no two HCV isolates will be completely identical, even when derived from the same individual. For the purpose of this disclosure, a virus is considered to be the same or equivalent to HCV if it exhibits a global homology of 60 percent or more with the HCV_(HC-J1/CDC/CHI) composite sequence at the nucleic acid level and 70 percent at the amino acid level.

Peptides are described which immunologically mimic proteins encoded by HCV. In order to accommodate strain-to-strain variations in sequence, conservative as well as non-conservative amino acid substitutions may be made. These will generally account for less than 35 percent of a specific sequence. It may be desirable in cases where a peptide corresponds to a region in the HCV polypeptide which is highly polymorphic, to vary one or more of the amino acids so as to better mimic the different epitopes of different viral strains.

The peptides of interest will include at least five, sometimes six, sometimes eight, sometimes twelve, usually fewer than about fifty, more usually fewer than about thirty-five, and preferably fewer than about twenty-five amino acids included within the sequence encoded by the HCV genome. In each instance, the peptide will preferably be as small as possible while still maintaining substantially all of the sensitivity of the larger peptide. It may also be desirable in certain instances to join two or more peptides together in one peptide structure.

It should be understood that the peptides described need not be identical to any particular HCV sequence, so long as the subject compounds are capable of providing for immunological competition with at least one strain of HCV. The peptides may therefore be subject to insertions, deletions, and conservative or non-conservative amino acid substitutions where such changes might provide for certain advantages in their use.

Substitutions which are considered conservative are those in which the chemical nature of the substitute is similar to that of the original amino acid. Combinations of amino acids which could be considered conservative are Gly, Ala; Asp, Glu; Asn, Gln; Val, Ile, Leu; Ser, Thr; Lys, Arg; and Phe, Tyr.

Furthermore, additional amino acids or chemical groups may be added to the amino- or carboxyl terminus for the purpose of creating a "linker arm" by which the peptide can conveniently be attached to a carrier. The linker arm will be at least one amino acid and may be as many as 60 amino acids but will most frequently be 1 to 10 amino acids. The nature of the attachment to a solid phase or carrier need not be covalent. Natural amino acids such as cysteine, lysine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, or aspartic acid may be added to either the amino- or carboxyl terminus to provide functional groups for coupling to a solid phase or a carrier. However, other chemical groups such as, for example, biotin and thioglycolic acid, may be added to the termini which will endow the peptides with desired chemical or physical properties. The termini of the peptides may also be modified, for example, by N-terminal acetylation or terminal carboxy-amidation. The peptides of interest are described in relation to the composite amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1. The amino acid sequences are given in the conventional and universally accepted three-letter code. In addition to the amino acids shown, other groups are defined as follows: Y is, for example, NH₂, one or more N-terminal amino acids, or other moieties added to facilitate coupling. Y may itself be modified by, for example, acetylation. Z is a bond, (an) amino acid(s), or (a) chemical group(s) which may be used for linking. X is intended to represent OH, NH₂, or a linkage involving either of these two groups.

Peptide I, shown in SEQ ID NO:1 corresponds to amino acids 1 to 20 and has the amino acid sequence:

(I)

Y-Met-Ser-Thr-Ile-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Arg-Lys-Thr-Lys-Arg-Asn-Thr-Asn-Arg-Arg-Pro-Gln-Z-X.

Peptide II, shown in SEQ ID NO:2 corresponds to amino acids 7 to 26 and has the amino acid sequence:

(II)

Y-Pro-Gln-Arg-Lys-Thr-Lys-Arg-Asn-Thr-Asn-Arg-Arg-Pro-Gln-Asp-Val-Lys-Phe-Pro-Gly-Z-X.

Of particular interest is the oligopeptide IIA, shown in SEQ ID NO:3, which has the sequence:

(IIA)

Y-Gln-Arg-Lys-Thr-Lys-Arg-Asn-Thr-Asn-Arg-Arg-Z-X.

Peptide III, shown in SEQ ID NO:4 corresponds to amino acids 13 to 32 and has the sequence:

(III)

Y-Arg-Asn-Thr-Asn-Arg-Arg-Pro-Gln-Asp-Val-Lys-Phe-Pro-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gln-Ile-Val-Gly-Z-X.

Peptide IV, shown in SEQ ID NO:5 corresponds to amino acid 37 to 56 and has the sequence:

(IV)

Y-Leu-Pro-Arg-Arg-Gly-Pro-Arg-Leu-Gly-Val-Arg-Ala-Thr-Arg-Lys-Thr-Ser-Glu-Arg-Ser-Z-X.

Peptide V, shown in SEQ ID NO:6 corresponds to amino acids 49 to 68 and has the sequence:

(V)

Y-Thr-Arg-Lys-Thr-Ser-Glu-Arg-Ser-Gln-Pro-Arg-Gly-Arg-Arg-Gln-Pro-Ile-Pro-Lys-Val-Z-X.

Peptide VI, shown in SEQ ID NO:7, corresponds to amino acid 61 to 80 and has the following sequence:

(VI)

Y-Arg-Arg-Gln-Pro-Ile-Pro-Lys-Val-Arg-Arg-Pro-Glu-Gly-Arg-Thr-Trp-Ala-Gln-Pro-Gly-Z-X.

Peptide VII, shown in SEQ ID NO:8 corresponds to amino acids 73 to 92 and has the sequence:

(VII)

Y-Gly-Arg-Thr-Trp-Ala-Gln-Pro-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Pro-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Asn-Glu-Gly-Cys-Gly-Z-X.

Peptide VIII, shown in SEQ ID NO:9 corresponds to amino acids 1688 to 1707 and has the sequence:

(VIII)

Y-Leu-Ser-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Ile-Ile-Pro-Asp-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Tyr-Arg-Glu-Phe-Asp-Glu-Z-X.

Peptide IX, shown in SEQ ID NO:10 corresponds to amino acids 1694 to 1713 and has the sequence:

(IX)

Y-Ile-Ile-Pro-Asp-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Tyr-Arg-Glu-Phe-Asp-Glu-Met-Glu-Glu-Cys-Ser-Gln-Z-X.

Peptide X, shown in SEQ ID NO:11 corresponds to amino acids 1706 to 1725 and has the sequence:

(X)

Y-Asp-Glu-Met-Glu-Glu-Cys-Ser-Gln-His-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Glu-Gln-Gly-Met-Met-Leu-Ala-Z-X.

Peptide XI, shown in SEQ ID NO:12 corresponds to amino acids 1712 to 1731 and has the sequence:

(XI)

Y-Ser-Gln-His-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Glu-Gln-Gly-Met-Met-Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Phe-Lys-Gln-Lys-Z-X.

Peptide XII, shown in SEQ ID NO:13 corresponds to amino acids 1718 to 1737 and has the sequence:

(XII)

Y-Ile-Glu-Gln-Gly-Met-Met-Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Phe-Lys-Gln-Lys-Ala-Leu-Gly-Leu-Leu-Gln-Z-X.

Peptide XIII, shown in SEQ ID NO:14 corresponds to amino acids 1724 to 1743 and has the sequence:

(XIII)

Y-Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Phe-Lys-Gln-Lys-Ala-Leu-Gly-Leu-Leu-Gln-Thr-Ala-Ser-Arg-Gln-Ala-Z-X.

Peptide XIV, shown in SEQ ID NO:15 corresponds to amino acids 1730 to 1749 and has the sequence:

(XIV)

Y-Gln-Lys-Ala-Leu-Gly-Leu-Leu-Gln-Thr-Ala-Ser-Arg-Gln-Ala-Glu-Val-Ile-Ala-Pro-Ala-Z-X.

Peptide XV, shown in SEQ ID NO:16 corresponds to amino acids 2263 to 2282 and has the sequence:

(XV)

Y-Glu-Asp-Glu-Arg-Glu-Ile-Ser-Val-Pro-Ala-Glu-Ile-Leu-Arg-Lys-Ser-Arg-Arg-Phe-Ala-Z-X.

Peptide XVI, shown in SEQ ID NO:17 corresponds to amino acids 2275 to 2294 and has the sequence:

(XVI)

Y-Leu-Arg-Lys-Ser-Arg-Arg-Phe-Ala-Gln-Ala-Leu-Pro-Val-Trp-Ala-Arg-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Asn-Z-X

Peptide XVII, shown in SEQ ID NO:18 corresponds to amino acids 2287 to 2306 and has the sequence:

(XVII)

Y-Val-Trp-Ala-Arg-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Asn-Pro-Pro-Leu-Val-Glu-Thr-Trp-Lys-Lys-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Z-X.

Peptide XVIII, shown in SEQ ID NO:19 corresponds to amino acids 2299 to 2318 and has the sequence:

(XVIII)

Y-Glu-Thr-Trp-Lys-Lys-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Pro-Val-Val-His-Gly-Cys-Pro-Leu-Pro-Pro-Z-X.

Peptide XIX, shown in SEQ ID NO:20 corresponds to amino acids 2311 to 2330 and has the sequence:

(XIX)

Y-Val-His-Gly-Cys-Pro-Leu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Lys-Ser-Pro-Pro-Val-Pro-Pro-Pro-Arg-Lys-Lys-Z-X.

Of particular interest is the use of the mercapto-group of cysteines or thioglycolic acids used for acylating terminal amino groups for cyclizing the peptides or coupling two peptides together. The cyclization or coupling may occur via a single bond or may be accomplished using thiol-specific reagents to form a molecular bridge.

The peptides may be coupled to a soluble carrier for the purpose of either raising antibodies or facilitating the adsorption of the peptides to a solid phase. The nature of the carrier should be such that it has a molecular weight greater than 5000 and should not be recognized by antibodies in human serum. Generally, the carrier will be a protein. Proteins which are frequently used as carriers are keyhole limpet hemocyanin, bovine gamma globulin, bovine serum albumin, and poly-L-lysine.

There are many well described techniques for coupling peptides to carriers. The linkage may occur at the N-terminus, C-terminus or at an internal site in the peptide. The peptide may also be derivatized for coupling. Detailed descriptions of a wide variety of coupling procedures are given, for example, in Van Regenmortel, M. H. V., Briand, J. P., Muller, S., and Plaue, S., Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Vol. 19, Synthetic Polypeptides as Antigens, Elsevier Press, Amsterdarn, N.Y., Oxford, 1988.

The peptides may also be synthesized directly on an oligo-lysine core in which both the alpha as well as the epsilon-amino groups of lysines are used as growth points for the peptides. The number of lysines comprising the core is preferably 3 or 7. Additionally, a cysteine may be included near or at the C-terminus of the complex to facilitate the formation of homo- or heterodimers. The use of this technique has been amply illustrated for hepatitis B antigens (Tam, J. P., and Lu, Y-A., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1989) 86:9084-9088) as well as for a variety of other antigens (see Tam, J. P., Multiple Antigen Peptide System: A Novel Design for Synthetic Peptide Vaccine and Immunoassay, in Synthetic Peptides, Approaches to Biological Problems, Tar, J. P., and Kaiser, E. T., ed. Alan R. Liss Inc., New York, 1989).

Depending on their intended use, the peptides may be either labeled or unlabeled. Labels which may be employed may be of any type, such as enzymatic, chemical, fluorescent, luminescent, or radioactive. In addition, the peptides may be modified for binding to surfaces or solid phases, such as, for example, microtiter plates, nylon membranes, glass or plastic beads, and chromatographic supports such as cellulose, silica, or agarose. The methods by which peptides can be attached or bound to solid support or surface are well known to those versed in the art.

Of particular interest is the use of mixtures of peptides for the detection of antibodies specific for hepatitis C virus. Mixtures of peptides which are considered particularly advantageous are:

A. II, III, V, IX, and XVIII

B. I, II, V, IX XI, XVI, and XVIII

C. II, III, IV, V, VIII, XI, XVI, and XVIII

D. II, IX, and XVIII

E. II, III, IV, and V

F. VIII, IX, XI, XIII, and XIV

G. XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, and XIX

Antibodies which recognize the peptides can be detected in a variety of ways. A preferred method of detection is the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) in which a peptide or mixture of peptides is bound to a solid support. In most cases, this will be a microtiter plate but may in principle be any sort of insoluble solid phase. A suitable dilution or dilutions of serum or other body fluid to be tested is brought into contact with the solid phase to which the peptide is bound. The incubation is carried out for a time necessary to allow the binding reaction to occur. Subsequently, unbound components are removed by washing the solid phase. The detection of immune complexes is achieved using antibodies which specifically bind to human immunoglobulins, and which have been labeled with an enzyme, preferably but not limited to either horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or beta-galactosidase, which is capable of converting a colorless or nearly colorless substrate or co-substrate into a highly colored product or a product capable of forming a colored complex with a chromogen. Alternatively, the detection system may employ an enzyme which, in the presence of the proper substrate(s), emits light. The amount of product formed is detected either visually, spectrophotometrically, electrochemically, or luminometrically, and is compared to a similarly treated control. The detection system may also employ radioactively labeled antibodies, in which case the amount of immune complex is quantified by scintillation counting or gamma counting.

Other detection systems which may be used include those based on the use of protein A derived from Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I, protein G from group C Staphylococcus sp. (strain 26RP66), or systems which make use of the high affinity biotin-avidin or streptavidin binding reaction.

Antibodies raised to carrier-bound peptides can also be used in conjunction with labeled peptides for the detection of antibodies present in serum or other body fluids by competition assay. In this case, antibodies raised to carrier-bound peptides are attached to a solid support which may be, for example, a plastic bead or a plastic tube. Labeled peptide is then mixed with suitable dilutions of the fluid to be tested and this mixture is subsequently brought into contact with the antibody bound to the solid support. After a suitable incubation period, the solid support is washed and the amount of labeled peptide is quantified. A reduction in the amount of label bound to the solid support is indicative of the presence of antibodies in the original sample. By the same token, the peptide may also be bound to the solid support. Labeled antibody may then be allowed to compete with antibody present in the sample under conditions in which the amount of peptide is limiting. As in the previous example, a reduction in the measured signal is indicative of the presence of antibodies in the sample tested.

Another preferred method of antibody detection is the homogeneous immunoassay. There are many possible variations in the design of such assays. By way of example, numerous possible configurations for homogeneous enzyme immunoassays and methods by which they may be performed are given in Tijssen, P., Practice and Theory of Enzyme Immunoassays, Elsevier Press, Amersham, Oxford, N.Y., 1985. Detection systems which may be employed include those based on enzyme channeling, bioluminescence, allosteric activation and allosteric inhibition. Methods employing liposome-entrapped enzymes or coenzymes may also be used (see Pinnaduwage, P. and Huang, L., Clin. Chem. (1988) 34/2: 268-272, and Ullman, E. F. et al., Clin. Chem. (1987) 33/9: 1579-1584 for examples).

The synthesis of the peptides can be achieved in solution or on a solid support. Synthesis protocols generally employ the use t-butyloxycarbonyl- or 9-fluorenylmethoxy-carbonyl-protected activated amino acids. The procedures for carrying out the syntheses, the types of side-chain protection, and the cleavage methods are amply described in, for example, Stewart and Young, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd Edition, Pierce Chemical Company, 1984; and Atherton and Sheppard, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, IRL Press, 1989.

Experimental

I. Peptide Synthesis

All of the peptides described were synthesized on Pepsyn K polyamide-Kieselguhr resin (Milligen, Novato, Calif.) which had been functionalized with ethylenediamine and onto which the acid-labile linker 4-(alpha-Fmoc-amino-2',4'-dimethoxybenzyl) phenoxyacetic acid had been coupled (Rink, Tetrahedron Lett. (1987) 28:3787). t-Butyl-based side-chain protection and Fmoc alpha-amino-protection was used. The guanidino-group of arginine was protected by the 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-sulfonyl moiety. The imidazole group of histidine was protected by either t-Boc or trityl and the sulfhydryl group of cysteine was protected by a trityl group. Couplings were carried out using performed O-pentafluorophenyl esters except in the case of arginine where diisopropylcarbodiimide-mediated hydroxybenzotriazole ester formation was employed. Except for peptide I, all peptides were N-acetylated using acetic anhydride. All syntheses were carried out on a Milligen 9050 PepSynthesizer (Novato, Calif.) using continuous flow procedures. Following cleavage with trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of scavengers and extraction with diethylether, all peptides were analyzed by C₁₈ -reverse phase chromatography.

II. Detection of Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus

A. Use of Peptides Bound to a Nylon Membrane.

Peptides were dissolved in a suitable buffer to make a concentrated stock solution which was then further diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or sodium carbonate buffer, pH 9.6 to make working solutions. The peptides were applied as lines on a nylon membrane (Pall, Portsmouth, United Kingdom), after which the membrane was treated with casein to block unoccupied binding sites. The membrane was subsequently cut into strips perpendicular to the direction of the peptide lines. Each strip was then incubated with a serum sample diluted 1 to 100, obtained from an HCV-infected individual. Antibody binding was detected by incubating the strips with goat anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies conjugated to the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. After removing unbound conjugate by washing, a substrate solution containing 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate and nitro blue tetrazolium was added.

Positive reactions are visible as colored lines corresponding to the positions of the peptides which are specifically recognized. The reaction patterns of thirty-six different sera are tabulated in Table 1. The results shown in Table 1 are further summarized in Table 2.

B. Use of Peptides in an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Peptide stock solutions were diluted in sodium carbonate buffer, pH 9.6 and used to coat microtiter plates at a peptide concentration of 2 micrograms per milliliter. A mixture consisting of peptides II, III, V, IX, and XVIII was also used to coat plates. Following coating, the plates were blocked with casein. Fifteen HCV-antibody-positive sera and control sera from seven uninfected blood donors were diluted 1 to 20 and incubated in wells of the peptide-coated plates. Antibody binding was detected by incubating the plates with goat anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies conjugated to the enzyme horseradish peroxidase. Following removal of unbound conjugate by washing, a solution containing H₂ O₂ and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine was added. Reactions were stopped after a suitable interval by addition of sulfuric acid. Positive reactions gave rise to a yellow color which was quantified using a conventional microtiter plate reader. The results of these determinations are tabulated in Table 3. To correct for any aspecific binding which could be attributable to the physical or chemical properties of the peptides themselves, a cut-off value was determined for each peptide individually. This cut-off absorbance value was calculated as the average optical density of the negative samples plus 0.200. Samples giving absorbance values higher than the cut-off values are considered positive. The results for the fifteen positive serum samples are further summarized in Table 4.

While it is evident that some of the peptides are recognized by a large percentage of sera from HCV-infected individuals, it is also clear that no single peptide is recognized by all sera. In contrast, the peptide mixture was recognized by all fifteen sera and, for six of the fifteen sera, the optical densities obtained were equal to or higher than those obtained for any of the peptides individually. These results serve to illustrate the advantages of using mixtures of peptides for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies.

C. Binding of Antibodies in Sera from HCV-infected Patients to Various Individual Peptides and Peptide Mixtures in an ELISA.

Five peptides were used individually and in seven different combinations to coat microtiter plates. The plates were subsequently incubated with dilutions of fifteen HCV antibody-positive sera in order to evaluate the relative merits of using mixtures as compared to individual peptides for antibody detection. The mixtures used and the results obtained are shown in FIG. 2.

In general, the mixtures functioned better than individual peptides. This was particularly evident for mixture 12 (peptides I, III, V, IX, and XVIII) which was recognized by all twelve of the sera tested. These results underscore the advantages of using mixtures of peptides in diagnostic tests for the detection of antibodies to HCV.

D. Use of a Mixture of Peptides in an ELISA Assay for the Detection of Anti-HCV Antibodies.

A mixture of peptides II, III, V, IX and XVIII was prepared and used to coat microtiter plates according to the same procedure used to test the individual peptides. A total of forty-nine sera were tested from patients with clinically diagnosed but undifferentiated chronic non A non B hepatitis as well as forty-nine sera from healthy blood donors. Detection of antibody binding was accomplished using goat anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. The resulting optical density values are given in Table 5. These results indicate that the mixture of peptides is not recognized by antibodies in sera from healthy donors (0/49 reactives) but is recognized by a large proportion (41/49, or 84%) of the sera from patients with chronic NANBH. These results demonstrate that the peptides described can be used effectively as mixtures for the diagnosis of HCV infection.

E. Detection of Anti-HCV antibodies In Sera From Patients With Acute NANB Infection Using Individual Peptides Bound to Nylon Membranes and a Mixture of Peptides in an ELISA Assay, and Comparison With a Commercially Available Kit.

Peptides were applied to nylon membranes or mixed and used to coat microtiter plates as previously described. The peptide mixture consisted of peptides II, III, V, IX and XVIII. Sera obtained from twenty-nine patients with acute non-A, non-B hepatitis were then tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus. These same sera were also evaluated using a commercially available kit (Ortho, Emeryville, Calif., USA).

The results of this comparative study are given in Table 6. In order to be able to compare the peptide-based ELISA with the commercially available kit, the results for both tests are also expressed as signal to noise ratios (S/N) which were calculated by dividing the measured optical density obtained for each sample by the cut-off value. A signal-to-noise ratio greater or equal to 1.0 is taken to represent a positive reaction. For the commercially available kit, the cut-off value was calculated according to the manufacturer's instructions. The cut-off value for the peptide-based ELISA was calculated as the average optical density of five negative samples plus 0.200.

The scale used to evaluate antibody recognition of nylon-bound peptides was the same as that given in Table 1. Of the twenty-nine samples tested, twenty-five (86%) were positive in the peptide-based ELISA and recognized one or more nylon-bound peptides. In contrast, only fourteen of the twenty-nine sera scored positive in the commercially available ELISA These results serve to illustrate the advantages of using peptide mixtures for the detection of anti-HIV antibodies as well as the need to include in the mixtures peptides which contain amino acid sequences derived from different regions of the HCV polyprotein.

                                      TABLE 1     __________________________________________________________________________     Recognition of peptides bound to nylon membranes by sera from persons     infected by HCV.     PEPTIDE     Serum nr.          I  II III                   IV V  VI VII                               VIII                                  IX X  XI XII                                              XIII                                                 XIV                                                    XV XVI                                                          XVII                                                             XVIII                                                                 XIX     __________________________________________________________________________     1          3  1           1        0.5            2  2  1   1     2                                  0.5   1  2     2  1     3    1  0.5                2  1     0.5   2  0.5                                     1  0.5     4                                        1     6          2  1  0.5                              2     7    0.5             1  2  1  0.5      3  2  2  1     1     2     0.5                                                             1    1     8    0.5             1  3  1  1     1  1     2  1     1        1  1  0.5     10      1  0.5            3  1  1           0.5                                                    2  2     2    2     13   0.5             0.5                2     0.5            1        1  0.5   0.5     15            0.5         2  1  0.5         1     0.5     16   2  1  0.5                   0.5                      1  0.5   2  0.5                                     1              2  2  1  2     18   1  1  3  0.5   2  0.5                        1  0.5     23   0.5   1  1        0.5      1  0.5   0.5   0.5     24   1  0.5                2  1  0.5                         0.5                            0.5                               2                       1     25         1  0.5         2  0.5                                     0.5                                        2     1  1     2     26                        1                       0.5     27   0.5             0.5                1              3  2                    1  2  1    0.5     29      0.5                3  2  1  1  0.5      2  1     1  1  2  2  1  1    1     30      0.5                0.5                   1  1  0.5     31      1  0.5                  0.5                                        0.5         0.5     32      1  2                    1  0.5         1  1     33                        0.5   1  0.5                  0.5     34      1  1  1           3  1                    1  1  0.5     35   1  1  2  1  1  1  0.5     36   1     2  1     1     37   1  1     44      1  2  1  0.5                           2     0.5     46      0.5                2  0.5                      0.5   0.5                               2     47      0.5   0.5   0.5   1                             1    1     48   1  2     2        0.5                               2              0.5   1  1     1    0.5     49      1  1  0.5                      0.5                         0.5         0.5                                        0.5   0.5         1     50      1  2  1           2  0.5                                     1  1     1        1  1  0.5  0.5     51         2  0.5                      0.5   0.5                        1  1  0.5     52         2  0.5      0.5      0.5     54         2  0.5                      0.5                         1  0.5      1     1        1  1  1     56   ND ND ND ND ND ND ND 2        0.5                                           1  2  1     __________________________________________________________________________      Blank: no reation; 0.5: weakly positive; 1: clearly positive; 2: strong      reaction; 3: intense reaction; ND: not determined

                  TABLE 2     ______________________________________     Summary of antibody binding to nylon-bound HCV peptides     by sera from infected patients.     Peptide     No. reactive sera                             % reactive sera     ______________________________________     I           13/35       37     II          22/35       63     III         27/35       77     IV          24/35       69     V           14/35       40     VI          11/35       31     VII         11/35       31     VIII        19/36       53     IX           9/36       25     X           17/36       47     XI          15/36       42     XII          1/36       3     XIII        13/36       36     XIV          7/36       19     XV           9/36       25     XVI         20/36       56     XVII        14/36       39     XVIII       14/36       39     XIX          8/36       22     ______________________________________

                                      TABLE 3     __________________________________________________________________________     Comparison of Individual Peptides in an ELISA Assay for the Detection of     Antibodies to HCV.     sample          peptide     ident          I  II III                   IV V  VI VII                               VIII                                  IX X  XI XII                                              XIII                                                 XIV                                                    XV XVI                                                          XVII                                                             XVIII                                                                 XIX     __________________________________________________________________________      1   0.786             1.119                1.284                   0.265                      0.042                         0.04                            0.05                               0.571                                  0.659                                     0.048                                        0.04                                           0.043                                              0.068                                                 0.044                                                    0.041                                                       1.063                                                          0.956                                                             1.383                                                                 1.346      2   0.044             0.039                0.11                   0.041                      0.037                         0.038                            0.039                               0.479                                  0.78                                     0.169                                        0.563                                           0.039                                              0.042                                                 0.515                                                    0.039                                                       0.64                                                          0.319                                                             0.154                                                             0.49      3   0.815             0.944                0.825                   0.399                      0.654                         0.487                            0.32                               0.705                                  0.965                                     0.468                                        0.668                                           0.041                                              0.093                                                 0.341                                                    0.043                                                       0.292                                                          0.038                                                             0.046                                                             0.038      7   1.122             1.23                0.588                   0.682                      0.659                         0.182                            0.107                               0.907                                  1.42                                     0.663                                        0.646                                           0.041                                              0.235                                                 0.068                                                    0.575                                                       0.042                                                          0.041                                                             0.872                                                             1.271      8   1.155             1.159                1.2                   0.508                      1.272                         0.433                            0.623                               0.61                                  0.863                                     0.752                                        1.175                                           0.046                                              0.42                                                 0.102                                                    0.068                                                       0.552                                                          0.671                                                             0.417                                                             0.058     10   1.089             1.236                1.083                   0.044                      0.508                         0.042                            0.073                               1.49                                  1.529                                     0.689                                        0.834                                           0.041                                              0.044                                                 0.314                                                    0.793                                                       0.886                                                          0.037                                                             1.335                                                             1.356     11   0.048             0.051                0.476                   0.052                      0.119                         0.039                            0.1                               0.634                                  0.711                                     0.199                                        0.967                                           0.125                                              0.454                                                 0.088                                                    0.111                                                       0.274                                                          0.093                                                             0.838                                                             0.065     15   0.224             0.602                0.813                   0.093                      0.068                         0.077                            0.147                               0.807                                  1.225                                     0.315                                        0.688                                           0.046                                              0.154                                                 0.202                                                    0.065                                                       0.372                                                          0.097                                                             0.155                                                             0.077     23   0.62             0.8                0.924                   0.568                      0.759                         0.442                            0.683                               0.089                                  0.121                                     0.422                                        0.896                                           0.041                                              0.049                                                 0.101                                                    0.068                                                       0.311                                                          0.038                                                             0.052                                                             0.05     24   1.042             1.132                1.026                   0.518                      0.916                         0.302                            0.253                               1.013                                  1.364                                     0.236                                        0.397                                           0.054                                              0.123                                                 0.076                                                    0.051                                                       0.418                                                          0.053                                                             0.1  0.085     49   0.624             0.73                0.884                   0.171                      0.372                         0.055                            0.04                               0.084                                  0.064                                     0.209                                        0.731                                           0.044                                              0.113                                                 0.039                                                    0.044                                                       0.299                                                          0.038                                                             0.192                                                             0.041     13   0.76             0.857                0.815                   0.087                      0.422                         0.098                            0.045                               0.473                                  0.489                                     0.529                                        0.735                                           0.043                                              0.044                                                 0.186                                                    0.043                                                       0.086                                                          0.037                                                             0.066                                                             0.04     31   0.84             1.114                0.445                   0.672                      0.046                         0.041                            0.042                               0.184                                  0.15                                     0.255                                        0.69                                           0.041                                              0.04                                                 0.061                                                    0.136                                                       0.292                                                          0.038                                                             0.224                                                             0.501     47   1.303             1.53                1.236                   0.751                      0.83                         0.629                            0.073                               0.545                                  0.739                                     0.044                                        0.041                                           0.041                                              0.041                                                 0.498                                                    0.04                                                       0.268                                                          0.042                                                             1.288                                                             1.206     56   1.169             1.301                1.364                   1.269                      1.374                         0.85                            1.066                               1.45                                  1.523                                     0.079                                        1.069                                           0.058                                              0.568                                                 0.038                                                    0.039                                                       0.218                                                          0.036                                                             0.087                                                             0.039     bd A28          0.054             0.043                0.139                   0.045                      0.135                         0.042                            0.041                               0.086                                  0.115                                     0.044                                        0.042                                           0.044                                              0.052                                                 0.043                                                    0.043                                                       0.307                                                          0.042                                                             0.045                                                             0.061     bd A169          0.041             0.042                0.134                   0.044                      0.038                         0.04                            0.041                               0.061                                  0.07                                     0.043                                        0.042                                           0.041                                              0.04                                                 0.041                                                    0.041                                                       0.255                                                          0.038                                                             0.056                                                             0.042     bd A170          0.04             0.044                0.117                   0.04                      0.036                         0.04                            0.04                               0.081                                  0.05                                     0.04                                        0.039                                           0.04                                              0.038                                                 0.038                                                    0.144                                                       0.292                                                          0.036                                                             0.058                                                             0.039     bd A171          0.041             0.046                0.148                   0.043                      0.037                         0.045                            0.045                               0.077                                  0.065                                     0.043                                        0.041                                           0.043                                              0.039                                                 0.04                                                    0.045                                                       0.286                                                          0.037                                                             0.05 0.04     bd A166          0.047             0.046                0.124                   0.044                      0.038                         0.042                            0.041                               0.056                                  0.066                                     0.041                                        0.041                                           0.042                                              0.04                                                 0.041                                                    0.041                                                       0.207                                                          0.039                                                             0.046                                                             0.041     bd A165          0.041             0.046                0.123                   0.043                      0.035                         0.051                            0.042                               0.051                                  0.091                                     0.041                                        0.04                                           0.042                                              0.039                                                 0.043                                                    0.039                                                       0.253                                                          0.034                                                             0.06 0.098     AVG  0.044             0.045                0.131                   0.043                      0.053                         0.043                            0.042                               0.069                                  0.076                                     0.042                                        0.041                                           0.042                                              0.041                                                 0.041                                                    0.059                                                       0.267                                                          0.038                                                             0.053                                                             0.054     STD  0.005             0.002                0.011                   0.002                      0.037                         0.004                            0.002                               0.013                                  0.021                                     0.001                                        0.001                                           0.001                                              0.005                                                 0.002                                                    0.038                                                       0.033                                                          0.002                                                             0.006                                                             0.021     cut off          0.109             0.101                0.214                   0.099                      0.214                         0.105                            0.098                               0.158                                  0.189                                     0.095                                        0.094                                           0.095                                              0.106                                                 0.097                                                    0.223                                                       0.416                                                          0.084                                                             0.121                                                             0.167     __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 4     ______________________________________     Summary of antibody-binding to individual peptides in an     ELISA assay.     Peptide     No. reactive sera                             % reactive sera     ______________________________________     I           13          87     II          13          87     III         14          93     IV          10          67     V           10          67     VI          7           47     VII         8           53     VIII        13          87     IX          12          80     X           13          87     XI          13          87     XII         1           7     XIII        7           47     XIV         8           53     XV          2           13     XVI         5           33     XVII        4           27     XVIII       10          67     XIX         6           40     ______________________________________

                  TABLE 5     ______________________________________     Use of a peptide mixture for the detection of antibodies to     HCV in sera from chronic NANBH patients and comparison     to sera from healthy blood donors.     Chronic NANB Sera     Control Sera     Serum nr.              Optical Density                           Serum nr.                                    Optical Density     ______________________________________     101      0.041        1        0.049     102      1.387        2        0.047     103      1.578        3        0.049     104      1.804        4        0.046     105      1.393        5        0.049     107      1.604        6        0.045     108      1.148        7        0.043     109      1.714        8        0.053     110      1.692        9        0.049     112      0.919        10       0.047     113      1.454        11       0.060     114      0.936        12       0.044     115      0.041        13       0.049     116      1.636        14       0.051     118      1.242        15       0.056     119      1.568        16       0.050     120      1.290        17       0.049     121      1.541        18       0.055     122      1.422        19       0.054     123      1.493        20       0.058     124      1.666        21       0.050     125      1.644        22       0.044     126      1.409        23       0.043     127      1.625        24       0.045     128      1.061        25       0.046     129      1.553        26       0.049     130      1.709        27       0.050     131      0.041        28       0.047     132      0.044        29       0.050     133      1.648        30       0.053     134      0.043        31       0.051     135      1.268        32       0.053     136      1.480        33       0.055     138      0.628        34       0.064     139      0.042        35       0.063     140      0.040        36       0.057     141      0.039        38       0.048     142      1.659        39       0.045     143      1.457        40       0.046     144      0.722        41       0.046     145      1.256        42       0.051     146      0.373        43       0.057     147      1.732        44       0.050     148      1.089        45       0.050     149      1.606        46       0.045     150      1.725        47       0.041     151      1.449        48       0.064     154      1.639        49       0.040     155      1.775        50       0.036     ______________________________________

                                      TABLE 6     __________________________________________________________________________     Comparison of anti-HCV antibody detection by nylon bound peptides, a     peptide based ELISA, and a commercially available kit.     Nylon-bound peptide                    Optical density                                                        Optical density     Serum nr.          I  III                IV V  VI VIII                            XI XIV                                  XV XVI                                        XVIII                                            Peptide ELISA                                                    S/N Commercial                                                                 S/NSA     __________________________________________________________________________     191  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.045   0.18                                                        0.295    0.47     192  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.042   0.17                                                        0.289    0.46     193  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.039   0.16                                                        0.197    0.32     194  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.044   0.18                                                        0.183    0.29     195  1  2  2  3  0  0  0.5                               0.5                                  1  3  1   1.692   6.77                                                        3.000*   4.82*     196  1  2  1  2  0.5                         0.5                            0.5                               0.5                                  0.5                                     2  0   1.569   6.28                                                        0.386    0.62     197  1  2  1  2  0  0.5                            0.5                               0.5                                  1  2  0   1.523   6.09                                                        0.447    0.72     198  1  2  2  2  0  0  0  0  1  2  0   1.578   6.31                                                        0.354    0.57     211  0.5             1  0.5                   0.5                      0  2  2  0  2  0  1   1.606   6.42                                                        3.000*   4.82*     213  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.369   1.48                                                        0.127    0.20     214  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.444   1.78                                                        0.101    0.16     215  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.637   2.55                                                        0.101    0.16     216  0  0  0  0.5                      0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.812   3.25                                                        0.092    0.15     217  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   1.320   5.28                                                        0.875    1.40     219  0.5             1  1  2  1  0.5                            1  0  0.5                                     0.5                                        1   1.547   6.19                                                        3.000*   4.82*     220  0.5             1  1  2  1  0.5                            1  0  0.5                                     0.5                                        1   1.536   6.14                                                        3.000*   4.82*     221  0  0  0  0.5                      0  0  0  0  0  0  0   1.428   5.71                                                        0.327    0.52     222  1  1  1  1  0  0  2  0.5                                  0.5                                     0  0   1.362   5.45                                                        3.000*   4.82*     223  1  1  1  1  0  0  3  0.5                                  0.5                                     0  0   1.316   5.26                                                        3.000*   4.82*     224  1  1  2  1  0  0.5                            3  0.5                                  0.5                                     0  0   1.304   5.22                                                        3.000*   4.82*     225  0  0  0  0  0  0.5                            0.5                               0.5                                  0  0  2   1.178   4.71                                                        2.398    3.85     226  0.5             0  0  0  0  2  3  2  0.5                                     0.5                                        3   1.256   5.14                                                        3.000*   4.82*     227  0  0  0  0  0  2  2  0.5                                  0.5                                     0.5                                        2   1.335   5.34                                                        3.000*   4.82*     228  0.5             0  0.5                   0.5                      0  2  2  2  0  0  2   1.400   5.60                                                        3.000*   4.82*     234  0.5             0.5                0  0.5                      0  0  3  1  3  1  3   1.481   5.92                                                        3.000*   4.82*     235  0  0  0  0.5                      0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.351   1.40                                                        0.257    0.41     236  0  0  0  0.5                      0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0.475   1.90                                                        0.245    0.39     237  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   1.134   4.54                                                        0.351    0.56     238  0  0  0  1  0  1  1  0  0  0  0   1.096   4.38                                                        1.074    1.72                                            Cut-off: 0.250                                                        Cut-off:     __________________________________________________________________________                                                        0.623      0: no reaction; 0.5: weakly positive; 1: clearly positive; 2: strong      reaction; 3: intense reaction;      *O.D. exceeded 3.000 and was out of range. The values given are therefore      minimum values.

    __________________________________________________________________________     #             SEQUENCE LISTING     - (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:     -    (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 23     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1:     -      Met Ser Thr Ile Pro Lys Pro Gln - # Arg Lys Thr Lys Arg Asn Thr     Asn     #   15     -      Arg Arg Pro Gln                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:     -      Pro Gln Arg Lys Thr Lys Arg Asn - # Thr Asn Arg Arg Pro Gln Asp     Val     #   15     -      Lys Phe Pro Gly                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 11 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:     -      Gln Arg Lys Thr Lys Arg Asn Thr - # Asn Arg Arg     #   10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:     -      Arg Asn Thr Asn Arg Arg Pro Gln - # Asp Val Lys Phe Pro Gly Gly     Gly     #   15     -      Gln Ile Val Gly                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:     -      Leu Pro Arg Arg Gly Pro Arg Leu - # Gly Val Arg Ala Thr Arg Lys     Thr     #   15     -      Ser Glu Arg Ser                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:     -      Thr Arg Lys Thr Ser Glu Arg Ser - # Gln Pro Arg Gly Arg Arg Gln     Pro     #   15     -      Ile Pro Lys Val                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7:     -      Arg Arg Gln Pro Ile Pro Lys Val - # Arg Arg Pro Glu Gly Arg Thr     Trp     #   15     -      Ala Gln Pro Gly                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8:     -      Gly Arg Thr Trp Ala Gln Pro Gly - # Tyr Pro Trp Pro Leu Tyr Gly     Asn     #   15     -      Glu Gly Cys Gly                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9:     -      Leu Ser Gly Lys Pro Ala Ile Ile - # Pro Asp Arg Glu Val Leu Tyr     Arg     #   15     -      Glu Phe Asp Glu                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10:     -      Ile Ile Pro Asp Arg Glu Val Leu - # Tyr Arg Glu Phe Asp Glu Met     Glu     #   15     -      Glu Cys Ser Gln                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11:     -      Asp Glu Met Glu Glu Cys Ser Gln - # His Leu Pro Tyr Ile Glu Gln     Gly     #   15     -      Met Met Leu Ala                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12:     -      Ser Gln His Leu Pro Tyr Ile Glu - # Gln Gly Met Met Leu Ala Glu     Gln     #   15     -      Phe Lys Gln Lys                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13:     -      Ile Glu Gln Gly Met Met Leu Ala - # Glu Gln Phe Lys Gln Lys Ala     Leu     #   15     -      Gly Leu Leu Gln                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14:     -      Leu Ala Glu Gln Phe Lys Gln Lys - # Ala Leu Gly Leu Leu Gln Thr     Ala     #   15     -      Ser Arg Gln Ala                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:15:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:15:     -      Gln Lys Ala Leu Gly Leu Leu Gln - # Thr Ala Ser Arg Gln Ala Glu     Val     #   15     -      Ile Ala Pro Ala                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:16:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:16:     -      Glu Asp Glu Arg Glu Ile Ser Val - # Pro Ala Glu Ile Leu Arg Lys     Ser     #   15     -      Arg Arg Phe Ala                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:17:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:17:     -      Leu Arg Lys Ser Arg Arg Phe Ala - # Gln Ala Leu Pro Val Trp Ala     Arg     #   15     -      Pro Asp Tyr Asn                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:18:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:18:     -      Val Trp Ala Arg Pro Asp Tyr Asn - # Pro Pro Leu Val Glu Thr Trp     Lys     #   15     -      Lys Pro Asp Tyr                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:19:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:19:     -      Glu Thr Trp Lys Lys Pro Asp Tyr - # Glu Pro Pro Val Val His Gly     Cys     #   15     -      Pro Leu Pro Pro                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:20:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 20 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:20:     -      Val His Gly Cys Pro Leu Pro Pro - # Pro Lys Ser Pro Pro Val Pro     Pro     #   15     -      Pro Arg Lys Lys                      20     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:21:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 16 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:21:     -      Glu Arg Glu Ile Ser Val Pro Ala - # Glu Ile Leu Arg Lys Ser Arg     Arg     #   15     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:22:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 11 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:22:     -      Arg Phe Ala Gln Ala Leu Pro Val - # Trp Ala Arg     #   10     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 23:     -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:     #acids    (A) LENGTH: 2894 amino               (B) TYPE: amino acid               (C) STRANDEDNESS: single               (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide     -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO     -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO     #23:  (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:     -      Met Ser Thr Ile Pro Lys Pro Gln - # Arg Lys Thr Lys Arg Asn Thr     Asn     #   15     -      Arg Arg Pro Gln Asp Val Lys Phe - # Pro Gly Gly Gly Gln Ile Val     Gly     #                 30     -      Gly Val Tyr Leu Leu Pro Arg Arg - # Gly Pro Arg Leu Gly Val Arg     Ala     #             45     -      Thr Arg Lys Thr Ser Glu Arg Ser - # Gln Pro Arg Gly Arg Arg Gln     Pro     #         60     -      Ile Pro Lys Val Arg Arg Pro Glu - # Gly Arg Thr Trp Ala Gln Pro     Gly     #     80     -      Tyr Pro Trp Pro Leu Tyr Gly Asn - # Glu Gly Cys Gly Trp Ala Gly     Trp     #   95     -      Leu Leu Ser Pro Arg Gly Ser Arg - # Pro Ser Trp Gly Pro Thr Asp     Pro     #                110     -      Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Asn Leu Gly - # Lys Val Ile Asp Thr Leu Thr     Cys     #            125     -      Gly Phe Ala Asp Leu Met Gly Tyr - # Ile Pro Leu Val Gly Ala Pro     Leu     #        140     -      Gly Gly Ala Ala Arg Ala Leu Ala - # His Gly Val Arg Val Leu Glu     Asp     #    160     -      Gly Val Asn Tyr Ala Thr Gly Asn - # Leu Pro Gly Cys Ser Phe Ser     Ile     #   175     -      Phe Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Ser Cys - # Leu Thr Val Pro Ala Ser Ala     Tyr     #                190     -      Gln Val Arg Asn Ser Thr Gly Leu - # Tyr His Val Thr Asn Asp Cys     Pro     #            205     -      Asn Ser Ser Ile Val Tyr Glu Ala - # His Asp Ala Ile Leu His Thr     Pro     #        220     -      Gly Cys Val Pro Cys Val Arg Glu - # Gly Asn Val Ser Arg Cys Trp     Val     #    240     -      Ala Met Thr Pro Thr Val Ala Thr - # Arg Asp Gly Lys Leu Pro Ala     Thr     #   255     -      Gln Leu Arg Arg His Ile Asp Leu - # Leu Val Gly Ser Ala Thr Leu     Cys     #                270     -      Ser Ala Leu Tyr Val Gly Asp Leu - # Cys Gly Ser Val Phe Leu Ile     Gly     #            285     -      Gln Leu Phe Thr Phe Ser Pro Arg - # Arg His Trp Thr Thr Gln Gly     Cys     #        300     -      Asn Cys Ser Ile Tyr Pro Gly His - # Ile Thr Gly His Arg Met Ala     Trp     #    320     -      Asp Met Met Met Asn Trp Ser Pro - # Thr Ala Ala Leu Val Met Ala     Gln     #   335     -      Leu Leu Arg Ile Pro Gln Ala Ile - # Leu Asp Met Ile Ala Gly Ala     His     #                350     -      Trp Gly Val Leu Ala Gly Ile Ala - # Tyr Phe Ser Met Val Gly Asn     Trp     #            365     -      Ala Lys Val Leu Val Val Leu Leu - # Leu Phe Ala Gly Val Asp Ala     Glu     #        380     -      Thr Ile Val Ser Gly Gly Gln Ala - # Ala Arg Ala Met Ser Gly Leu     Val     #    400     -      Ser Leu Phe Thr Pro Gly Ala Lys - # Gln Asn Ile Gln Leu Ile Asn     Thr     #   415     -      Asn Gly Ser Trp His Ile Asn Ser - # Thr Ala Leu Asn Cys Asn Glu     Ser     #                430     -      Leu Asn Thr Gly Trp Leu Ala Gly - # Leu Ile Tyr Gln His Lys Phe     Asn     #            445     -      Ser Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Arg Leu - # Ala Ser Cys Arg Pro Leu Thr     Asp     #        460     -      Phe Asp Gln Gly Trp Gly Pro Ile - # Ser Tyr Ala Asn Gly Ser Gly     Pro     #    480     -      Asp Gln Arg Pro Tyr Cys Trp His - # Tyr Pro Pro Lys Pro Cys Gly     Ile     #   495     -      Val Pro Ala Lys Ser Val Cys Gly - # Pro Val Tyr Cys Phe Thr Pro     Ser     #                510     -      Pro Val Val Val Gly Thr Thr Asp - # Arg Ser Gly Ala Pro Thr Tyr     Ser     #            525     -      Trp Gly Glu Asn Asp Thr Asp Val - # Phe Val Leu Asn Asn Thr Arg     Pro     #        540     -      Pro Leu Gly Asn Trp Phe Gly Cys - # Thr Trp Met Asn Ser Thr Gly     Phe     #    560     -      Thr Lys Val Cys Gly Ala Pro Pro - # Cys Val Ile Gly Gly Ala Gly     Asn     #   575     -      Asn Thr Leu His Cys Pro Thr Asp - # Cys Phe Arg Lys His Pro Asp     Ala     #                590     -      Thr Tyr Ser Arg Cys Gly Ser Gly - # Pro Trp Ile Thr Pro Arg Cys     Leu     #            605     -      Val Asp Tyr Pro Tyr Arg Leu Trp - # His Tyr Pro Cys Thr Ile Asn     Tyr     #        620     -      Thr Ile Phe Lys Ile Arg Met Tyr - # Val Gly Gly Val Glu His Arg     Leu     #    640     -      Glu Ala Ala Cys Asn Trp Thr Arg - # Gly Glu Arg Cys Asp Leu Glu     Asp     #   655     -      Arg Asp Arg Ser Glu Leu Ser Pro - # Leu Leu Leu Thr Thr Thr Gln     Trp     #                670     -      Gln Val Leu Pro Cys Ser Phe Thr - # Thr Leu Pro Ala Leu Ser Thr     Gly     #            685     -      Leu Ile His Leu His Gln Asn Ile - # Val Asp Val Gln Tyr Leu Tyr     Gly     #        700     -      Val Gly Ser Ser Ile Ala Ser Trp - # Ala Ile Lys Trp Glu Tyr Val     Val     #    720     -      Leu Leu Phe Leu Leu Leu Ala Asp - # Ala Arg Val Cys Ser Cys Leu     Trp     #   735     -      Met Met Leu Leu Ile Ser Gln Ala - # Glu Ala Ala Leu Glu Asn Leu     Val     #                750     -      Ile Leu Asn Ala Ala Ser Leu Ala - # Gly Thr His Gly Leu Val Ser     Phe     #            765     -      Leu Val Phe Phe Cys Phe Ala Trp - # Tyr Leu Lys Gly Lys Trp Val     Pro     #        780     -      Gly Ala Val Tyr Thr Phe Tyr Gly - # Met Trp Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu     Leu     #    800     -      Leu Ala Leu Pro Gln Arg Ala Tyr - # Ala Leu Asp Thr Glu Val Ala     Ala     #   815     -      Ser Cys Gly Gly Val Val Leu Val - # Gly Leu Met Ala Leu Thr Leu     Ser     #                830     -      Pro Tyr Tyr Lys Arg Tyr Ile Ser - # Trp Cys Leu Trp Trp Leu Gln     Tyr     #            845     -      Phe Leu Thr Arg Val Glu Ala Gln - # Leu His Val Trp Ile Pro Pro     Leu     #        860     -      Asn Val Arg Gly Gly Arg Asp Ala - # Val Ile Leu Leu Met Cys Ala     Val     #    880     -      His Pro Thr Leu Val Phe Asp Ile - # Thr Lys Leu Leu Leu Ala Val     Phe     #   895     -      Gly Pro Leu Trp Ile Leu Asp Ala - # Ser Leu Leu Lys Val Pro Tyr     Phe     #                910     -      Val Arg Val Gln Gly Leu Leu Arg - # Phe Cys Ala Leu Ala Arg Lys     Met     #            925     -      Ile Gly Gly His Tyr Val Gln Met - # Val Ile Ile Lys Leu Gly Ala     Leu     #        940     -      Thr Gly Thr Tyr Val Tyr Asn His - # Leu Thr Pro Leu Arg Asp Trp     Ala     #    960     -      His Asn Gly Leu Arg Asp Leu Ala - # Val Ala Val Glu Pro Val Val     Phe     #   975     -      Ser Gln Met Glu Thr Lys Leu Ile - # Thr Trp Gly Ala Asp Thr Ala     Ala     #                990     -      Cys Gly Asp Ile Ile Asn Gly Leu - # Pro Val Ser Ala Arg Arg Gly     Arg     #           10050     -      Glu Ile Leu Leu Gly Pro Ala Asp - # Gly Met Val Ser Lys Gly Trp     Arg     #       10205     -      Leu Leu Ala Pro Ile Thr Ala Tyr - # Ala Gln Gln Thr Arg Gly Leu     Leu     #  10405     -      Gly Cys Ile Ile Thr Ser Leu Thr - # Gly Arg Asp Lys Asn Gln Val     Glu     # 10550     -      Gly Glu Val Gln Ile Val Ser Thr - # Ala Ala Gln Thr Phe Leu Ala     Thr     #               10700 - #                1065     -      Cys Ile Asn Gly Val Cys Trp Thr - # Val Tyr His Gly Ala Gly Thr     Arg     #           10850     -      Thr Ile Ala Ser Pro Lys Gly Pro - # Val Ile Gln Met Tyr Thr Asn     Val     #       11005     -      Asp Gln Asp Leu Val Gly Trp Pro - # Ala Pro Gln Gly Ser Arg Ser     Leu     #  11205     -      Thr Pro Cys Thr Cys Gly Ser Ser - # Asp Leu Tyr Leu Val Thr Arg     His     # 11350     -      Ala Asp Val Ile Pro Val Arg Arg - # Arg Gly Asp Ser Arg Gly Ser     Leu     #               11500 - #                1145     -      Leu Ser Pro Arg Pro Ile Ser Tyr - # Leu Lys Gly Ser Ser Gly Gly     Pro     #           11650     -      Leu Leu Cys Pro Ala Gly His Ala - # Val Gly Ile Phe Arg Ala Ala     Val     #       11805     -      Cys Thr Arg Gly Val Ala Lys Ala - # Val Asp Phe Ile Pro Val Glu     Asn     #  12005     -      Leu Glu Thr Thr Met Arg Ser Pro - # Val Phe Trp Asp Asn Ser Ser     Pro     # 12150     -      Pro Val Val Pro Gln Ser Phe Gln - # Val Ala His Leu His Ala Pro     Thr     #               12300 - #                1225     -      Gly Ser Gly Lys Ser Thr Lys Val - # Pro Ala Ala Tyr Ala Ala Gln     Gly     #           12450     -      Tyr Lys Val Leu Val Leu Asn Pro - # Ser Val Ala Ala Thr Leu Gly     Phe     #       12605     -      Gly Ala Tyr Met Ser Lys Ala His - # Gly Ile Asp Pro Asn Ile Arg     Thr     #  12805     -      Gly Val Arg Thr Ile Thr Thr Gly - # Ser Pro Ile Thr Tyr Ser Thr     Tyr     # 12950     -      Gly Lys Phe Leu Ala Asp Gly Gly - # Cys Ser Gly Gly Ala Tyr Asp     Ile     #               13100 - #                1305     -      Ile Ile Cys Asp Glu Cys His Ser - # Thr Asp Ala Thr Ser Ile Leu     Gly     #           13250     -      Ile Gly Thr Val Leu Asp Gln Ala - # Glu Thr Ala Gly Ala Arg Leu     Val     #       13405     -      Val Leu Ala Thr Ala Thr Pro Pro - # Gly Ser Val Thr Val Pro His     Pro     #  13605     -      Asn Ile Glu Glu Val Ala Leu Ser - # Thr Thr Gly Glu Ile Pro Phe     Tyr     # 13750     -      Gly Lys Ala Ile Pro Leu Glu Val - # Ile Lys Gly Gly Arg His Leu     Ile     #               13900 - #                1385     -      Phe Cys His Ser Lys Lys Lys Cys - # Asp Glu Leu Ala Ala Lys Leu     Val     #           14050     -      Ala Leu Gly Ile Asn Ala Val Ala - # Tyr Tyr Arg Gly Leu Asp Val     Ser     #       14205     -      Val Ile Pro Thr Ser Gly Asp Val - # Val Val Val Ala Thr Asp Ala     Leu     #  14405     -      Met Thr Gly Tyr Thr Gly Asp Phe - # Asp Ser Val Ile Asp Cys Asn     Thr     # 14550     -      Cys Val Thr Gln Thr Val Asp Phe - # Ser Leu Asp Pro Thr Phe Thr     Ile     #               14700 - #                1465     -      Glu Thr Ile Thr Leu Pro Gln Asp - # Ala Val Ser Arg Thr Gln Arg     Arg     #           14850     -      Gly Arg Thr Gly Arg Gly Lys Pro - # Gly Ile Tyr Arg Phe Val Ala     Pro     #       15005     -      Gly Glu Arg Pro Ser Gly Met Phe - # Asp Ser Ser Val Leu Cys Glu     Cys     #  15205     -      Tyr Asp Ala Gly Cys Ala Trp Tyr - # Glu Leu Thr Pro Ala Glu Thr     Thr     # 15350     -      Val Arg Leu Arg Ala Tyr Met Asn - # Thr Pro Gly Leu Pro Val Cys     Gln     #               15500 - #                1545     -      Asp His Leu Glu Phe Trp Glu Gly - # Val Phe Thr Gly Leu Thr His     Ile     #           15650     -      Asp Ala His Phe Leu Ser Gln Thr - # Lys Gly Ser Gly Glu Asn Leu     Pro     #       15805     -      Tyr Leu Val Ala Tyr Gln Ala Thr - # Val Cys Ala Arg Ala Gln Ala     Pro     #  16005     -      Pro Pro Ser Trp Asp Gln Met Trp - # Lys Cys Leu Ile Arg Leu Lys     Pro     # 16150     -      Thr Leu His Gly Pro Thr Pro Leu - # Leu Tyr Arg Leu Gly Ala Val     Gln     #               16300 - #                1625     -      Asn Glu Ile Thr Leu Thr His Pro - # Val Thr Lys Tyr Ile Met Thr     Cys     #           16450     -      Met Ser Ala Asp Leu Glu Val Val - # Thr Ser Thr Trp Val Leu Val     Gly     #       16605     -      Gly Val Leu Ala Ala Leu Ala Ala - # Tyr Cys Leu Ser Thr Gly Cys     Val     #  16805     -      Val Ile Val Gly Arg Val Val Leu - # Ser Gly Lys Pro Ala Ile Ile     Pro     # 16950     -      Asp Arg Glu Val Leu Tyr Arg Glu - # Phe Asp Glu Met Glu Glu Cys     Ser     #               17100 - #                1705     -      Gln His Leu Pro Tyr Ile Glu Gln - # Gly Met Met Leu Ala Glu Gln     Phe     #           17250     -      Lys Gln Lys Ala Leu Gly Leu Leu - # Gln Thr Ala Ser Arg Gln Ala     Glu     #       17405     -      Val Ile Ala Pro Ala Val Gln Thr - # Asn Trp Gln Lys Leu Glu Thr     Phe     #  17605     -      Trp Ala Lys His Met Trp Asn Phe - # Ile Ser Gly Ile Gln Tyr Leu     Ala     # 17750     -      Gly Leu Ser Thr Leu Pro Gly Asn - # Pro Ala Ile Ala Ser Leu Met     Ala     #               17900 - #                1785     -      Phe Thr Ala Ala Val Thr Ser Pro - # Leu Thr Thr Ser Gln Thr Leu     Leu     #           18050     -      Phe Asn Ile Leu Gly Gly Trp Val - # Ala Ala Gln Leu Ala Ala Pro     Gly     #       18205     -      Ala Ala Thr Ala Phe Val Gly Ala - # Gly Leu Ala Gly Ala Ala Ile     Gly     #  18405     -      Ser Val Gly Leu Gly Lys Val Leu - # Ile Asp Ile Leu Ala Gly Tyr     Gly     # 18550     -      Ala Gly Val Ala Gly Ala Leu Val - # Ala Phe Lys Ile Met Ser Gly     Glu     #               18700 - #                1865     -      Val Pro Ser Thr Glu Asp Leu Val - # Asn Leu Leu Pro Ala Ile Leu     Ser     #           18850     -      Pro Gly Ala Leu Val Val Gly Val - # Val Cys Ala Ala Ile Leu Arg     Arg     #       19005     -      His Val Gly Pro Gly Glu Gly Ala - # Val Gln Trp Met Asn Arg Leu     Ile     #  19205     -      Ala Phe Ala Ser Arg Gly Asn His - # Val Ser Pro Thr His Tyr Val     Pro     # 19350     -      Glu Ser Asp Ala Ala Ala Arg Val - # Thr Ala Ile Leu Ser Ser Leu     Thr     #               19500 - #                1945     -      Val Thr Gln Leu Leu Arg Arg Leu - # His Gln Trp Ile Ser Ser Glu     Cys     #           19650     -      Thr Thr Pro Cys Ser Gly Ser Trp - # Leu Arg Asp Ile Trp Asp Trp     Ile     #       19805     -      Cys Glu Val Leu Ser Asp Phe Lys - # Thr Trp Leu Lys Ala Lys Leu     Met     #  20005     -      Pro Gln Leu Pro Gly Ile Pro Phe - # Val Ser Cys Gln Arg Gly Tyr     Lys     # 20150     -      Gly Val Trp Arg Val Asp Gly Ile - # Met His Thr Arg Cys His Cys     Gly     #               20300 - #                2025     -      Ala Glu Ile Thr Gly His Val Lys - # Asn Gly Thr Met Arg Ile Val     Gly     #           20450     -      Pro Arg Thr Cys Arg Asn Met Trp - # Ser Gly Thr Phe Pro Ile Asn     Ala     #       20605     -      Tyr Thr Thr Gly Pro Cys Thr Arg - # Leu Pro Ala Pro Asn Tyr Thr     Phe     #  20805     -      Ala Leu Trp Arg Val Ser Ala Glu - # Glu Tyr Val Glu Ile Arg Gln     Val     # 20950     -      Gly Asp Phe His Tyr Val Thr Gly - # Met Thr Thr Asp Asn Leu Lys     Cys     #               21100 - #                2105     -      Pro Cys Gln Val Pro Ser Pro Glu - # Phe Phe Thr Glu Leu Asp Gly     Val     #           21250     -      Arg Leu His Arg Phe Ala Pro Pro - # Cys Lys Pro Leu Leu Arg Glu     Glu     #       21405     -      Val Ser Phe Arg Val Gly Leu His - # Glu Tyr Pro Val Gly Ser Gln     Leu     #  21605     -      Pro Cys Glu Pro Glu Pro Asp Val - # Ala Val Leu Thr Ser Met Leu     Thr     # 21750     -      Asp Pro Ser His Ile Thr Ala Glu - # Ala Ala Gly Arg Arg Leu Ala     Arg     #               21900 - #                2185     -      Gly Ser Pro Pro Ser Val Ala Ser - # Ser Ser Ala Ser Gln Leu Ser     Ala     #           22050     -      Pro Ser Leu Lys Ala Thr Cys Thr - # Ala Asn His Asp Ser Pro Asp     Ala     #       22205     -      Glu Leu Ile Glu Ala Asn Leu Leu - # Trp Arg Gln Glu Met Gly Gly     Asn     #  22405     -      Ile Thr Arg Val Glu Ser Glu Asn - # Lys Val Val Ile Leu Asp Ser     Phe     # 22550     -      Asp Pro Leu Val Ala Glu Glu Asp - # Glu Arg Glu Ile Ser Val Pro     Ala     #               22700 - #                2265     -      Glu Ile Leu Arg Lys Ser Arg Arg - # Phe Ala Gln Ala Leu Pro Val     Trp     #           22850     -      Ala Arg Pro Asp Tyr Asn Pro Pro - # Leu Val Glu Thr Trp Lys Lys     Pro     #       23005     -      Asp Tyr Glu Pro Pro Val Val His - # Gly Cys Pro Leu Pro Pro Pro     Lys     #  23205     -      Ser Pro Pro Val Pro Pro Pro Arg - # Lys Lys Arg Thr Val Val Leu     Thr     # 23350     -      Glu Ser Thr Leu Ser Thr Ala Leu - # Ala Glu Leu Ala Thr Arg Ser     Phe     #               23500 - #                2345     -      Gly Ser Ser Ser Thr Ser Gly Ile - # Thr Gly Asp Asn Thr Thr Thr     Ser     #           23650     -      Ser Glu Pro Ala Pro Ser Gly Cys - # Pro Pro Asp Ser Asp Ala Glu     Ser     #       23805     -      Tyr Ser Ser Met Pro Pro Leu Glu - # Gly Glu Pro Gly Asp Pro Asp     Leu     #  24005     -      Ser Asp Gly Ser Trp Ser Thr Val - # Ser Ser Glu Ala Asn Ala Glu     Asp     # 24150     -      Val Val Cys Cys Ser Met Ser Tyr - # Ser Trp Thr Gly Ala Cys Val     Thr     #               24300 - #                2425     -      Pro Cys Ala Ala Glu Glu Gln Lys - # Leu Pro Ile Asn Ala Leu Ser     Asn     #           24450     -      Ser Leu Leu Arg His His Asn Leu - # Val Tyr Ser Thr Thr Ser Arg     Ser     #       24605     -      Ala Cys Gln Arg Gln Lys Lys Val - # Thr Phe Asp Arg Leu Gln Val     Leu     #  24805     -      Asp Ser His Tyr Gln Asp Val Leu - # Lys Glu Val Lys Ala Ala Ala     Ser     # 24950     -      Lys Val Lys Ala Asn Leu Leu Ser - # Val Glu Glu Ala Cys Ser Leu     Thr     #               25100 - #                2505     -      Pro Pro His Ser Ala Lys Ser Lys - # Phe Gly Tyr Gly Ala Lys Asp     Val     #           25250     -      Arg Cys His Ala Arg Lys Ala Val - # Thr His Ile Asn Ser Val Trp     Lys     #       25405     -      Asp Leu Leu Glu Asp Asn Val Thr - # Pro Ile Asp Thr Thr Ile Met     Ala     #  25605     -      Lys Asn Glu Val Phe Cys Val Gln - # Pro Glu Lys Gly Gly Arg Lys     Pro     # 25750     -      Ala Arg Leu Ile Val Phe Pro Asp - # Leu Gly Val Arg Val Cys Glu     Lys     #               25900 - #                2585     -      Met Ala Leu Tyr Asp Val Val Thr - # Lys Leu Pro Leu Ala Val Met     Gly     #           26050     -      Ser Ser Tyr Gly Phe Gln Tyr Ser - # Pro Gly Gln Arg Val Glu Phe     Leu     #       26205     -      Val Gln Ala Trp Lys Ser Lys Lys - # Thr Pro Met Gly Phe Ser Tyr     Asp     #  26405     -      Thr Arg Cys Phe Asp Ser Thr Val - # Thr Glu Ser Asp Ile Arg Thr     Glu     # 26550     -      Glu Ala Ile Tyr Gln Cys Cys Asp - # Leu Asp Pro Gln Ala Arg Val     Ala     #               26700 - #                2665     -      Ile Lys Ser Leu Thr Glu Arg Leu - # Tyr Val Gly Gly Pro Leu Thr     Asn     #           26850     -      Ser Arg Gly Glu Asn Cys Gly Tyr - # Arg Arg Cys Arg Ala Ser Gly     Val     #       27005     -      Leu Thr Thr Ser Cys Gly Asn Thr - # Leu Thr Cys Tyr Ile Lys Ala     Arg     #  27205     -      Ala Ala Cys Arg Ala Ala Gly Leu - # Gln Asp Cys Thr Met Leu Val     Cys     # 27350     -      Gly Asp Asp Leu Val Val Ile Cys - # Glu Ser Ala Gly Val Gln Glu     Asp     #               27500 - #                2745     -      Ala Ala Ser Leu Arg Ala Phe Thr - # Glu Ala Met Thr Arg Tyr Ser     Ala     #           27650     -      Pro Pro Gly Asp Pro Pro Gln Pro - # Glu Tyr Asp Leu Glu Leu Ile     Thr     #       27805     -      Ser Cys Ser Ser Asn Val Ser Val - # Ala His Asp Gly Ala Gly Lys     Arg     #  28005     -      Val Tyr Tyr Leu Thr Arg Asp Pro - # Thr Thr Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala     Ala     # 28150     -      Trp Glu Thr Ala Arg His Thr Pro - # Val Asn Ser Trp Leu Gly Asn     Ile     #               28300 - #                2825     -      Ile Met Phe Ala Pro Thr Leu Trp - # Ala Arg Met Ile Leu Met Thr     His     #           28450     -      Phe Phe Ser Val Leu Ile Ala Arg - # Asp Gln Leu Glu Gln Ala Leu     Asp     #       28605     -      Cys Glu Ile Tyr Gly Ala Cys Tyr - # Ser Ile Glu Pro Leu Asp Leu     Pro     #  28805     -      Pro Ile Ile Gln Arg Leu Gly Cys - # Pro Glu Arg Leu Ala Ser     #  28905     __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. A peptide having the amino acid sequence:Glu-Asp-Glu-Arg-Glu-Ile-Ser-Val-Pro-Ala-Glu-Ile-Leu-Arg-Lys-Ser-Arg-Arg-Phe-Ala, (SEQ ID NO:16).
 2. A peptide having the amino acid sequence:Leu-Arg-Lys-Ser-Arg-Arg-Phe-Ala-Gln-Ala-Leu-Pro-Val-Trp-Ala-Arg-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Asn, (SEQ ID NO:17).
 3. A peptide having the amino acid sequence:(XVII) Val-Trp-Ala-Arg-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Asn-Pro-Pro-Leu-Val-Glu-Thr-Trp-Lys-Lys-Pro-Asp-Tyr, (SEQ ID NO:18).
 4. A peptide having the amino acid sequence:(XVIII) Glu-Thr-Trp-Lys-Lys-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Pro-Val-Val-His-Gly-Cys-Pro-Leu-Pro-Pro, (SEQ ID NO:19).
 5. A peptide having the amino acid sequence:(XIX) Val-His-Gly-Cys-Pro-Leu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Lys-Ser-Pro-Pro-Val-Pro-Pro-Pro-Arg-Lys-Lys, (SEQ ID NO:20).
 6. A peptide according to any of claims 1-5 wherein said peptide is cyclic.
 7. A peptide composition comprising a peptide of any one of claims 1-5 and at least one additional peptide selected from the group consisting of:(I) Met-Ser-Thr-Ile-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Arg-Lys-Thr-Lys-Arg-Asn-Thr-Asn-Arg-Arg-Pro-Gln, (SEQ ID NO:1) (II) Pro-Gln-Arg-Lys-Thr-Lys-Arg-Asn-Thr-Asn-Arg-Arg-Pro-Gln-Asp-Val-Lys-Phe-Pro-Gly, (SEQ ID NO:2) (III) Arg-Asn-Thr-Asn-Arg-Arg-Pro-Gln-Asp-Val-Lys-Phe-Pro-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gln-Ile-Val-Gly, (SEQ ID NO:4) (IV) Leu-Pro-Arg-Arg-Gly-Pro-Arg-Leu-Gly-Val-Arg-Ala-Thr-Arg-Lys-Thr-Ser-Glu-Arg-Ser, (SEQ ID NO:5) (V) Thr-Arg-Lys-Thr-Ser-Glu-Arg-Ser-Gln-Pro-Arg-Gly-Arg-Arg-Gln-Pro-Ile-Pro-Lys-Val, (SEQ ID NO:6) (VI) Arg-Arg-Gln-Pro-Ile-Pro-Lys-Val-Arg-Arg-Pro-Glu-Gly-Arg-Thr-Trp-Ala-Gln-Pro-Gly, (SEQ ID NO:7) (VII) Gly-Arg-Thr-Trp-Ala-Gln-Pro-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Pro-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Asn-Glu-Gly-Cys-Gly, (SEQ ID NO:8) (VIII) Leu-Ser-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Ile-Ile-Pro-Asp-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Tyr-Arg-Glu-Phe-Asp-Glu, (SEQ ID NO:9) (IX) Ile-Ile-Pro-Asp-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Tyr-Arg-Glu-Phe-Asp-Glu-Met-Glu-Glu-Cys-Ser-Gln, (SEQ ID NO:10) (X) Asp-Glu-Met-Glu-Glu-Cys-Ser-Gln-His-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Glu-Gln-Gly-Met-Met-Leu-Ala, (SEQ ID NO:11) (XI) Ser-Gln-His-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Glu-Gln-Gly-Met-Met-Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Phe-Lys-Gln-Lys, (SEQ ID NO:12) (XII) Ile-Glu-Gln-Gly-Met-Met-Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Phe-Lys-Gln-Lys-Ala-Leu-Gly-Leu-Leu-Gln, (SEQ ID NO:13) (XIII) Leu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Phe-Lys-Gln-Lys-Ala-Leu-Gly-Leu-Leu-Gln-Thr-Ala-Ser-Arg-Gln-Ala, (SEQ ID NO:14), and (XIV) Gln-Lys-Ala-Leu-Gly-Leu-Leu-Gln-Thr-Ala-Ser-Arg-Gln-Ala-Glu-Val-Ile-Ala-Pro-Ala, (SEQ ID NO:15).
 8. A peptide composition, or peptide according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said peptide is coupled N-terminally, C-terminally or internally to a carrier molecule.
 9. A peptide composition, or peptide according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said peptide contains a detectable label.
 10. A peptide composition, or peptide according to claim 7 wherein each peptide has on its amino terminus an H, or one or more chemical linking groups, and has on its carboxy terminus an NH₂, OH or one or more chemical linking groups.
 11. A method for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus present in a body fluid comprising the steps of:(a) contacting a body fluid of a person to be diagnosed with a peptide composition, or peptide according to claim 7, and, (b) detecting an immunological complex formed between antibodies in said body fluid and said peptide composition, or peptide as an indication of the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus.
 12. A kit for the detection of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in a body fluid, comprising:a peptide composition, or peptide according to claim 7, and a means for detecting an immunological complex formed between said peptide composition, or peptide and said antibodies.
 13. A peptide selected from the group consisting of:(a) a peptide consisting of a combination of at least two of amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NOS:2, 4, 6, 10 and 19, (b) a peptide consisting of a combination of at least two of amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 6, 10, 12, 17 and 19, (c) a peptide consisting of a combination of at least two of amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NOS:2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 17 and 19, (d) a peptide consisting of a combination of at least two of amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NOS:2, 10 and 19, (e) a peptide consisting of a combination of at least two of amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NOS:2, 4, 5 and 6, (f) a peptide consisting of a combination of at least two of amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NOS:9, 10, 12, 14 and 15, and (g) a peptide consisting of a combination of at least two of amino acid sequences: SEQ ID NOS:16, 17, 18, 19 and
 20. 14. A peptide composition, or peptide according to any one of claims 1-5 and 13 wherein at least one of said peptide is coupled N-terminally, C-terminally or internally to a carrier molecule.
 15. A peptide composition comprising a peptide according to any one of claims 1-5 and 13 wherein at least one peptide contains a detectable label.
 16. A peptide composition, or peptide as in any of claims 1-5 and 13 wherein each peptide has on its amino terminus an H, or one or more chemical linking groups, and has on its carboxy terminus an NH₂, OH or one or more chemical linking groups.
 17. A method for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus present in a body fluid comprising the steps of:(a) contacting a body fluid of a person to be diagnosed with a peptide composition, or peptide according to any one of claims 1-5 and 13, and, (b) detecting an immunological complex formed between antibodies in said body fluid and said peptide composition, or peptide as an indication of the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said peptide composition, or peptide is present as lines on a nylon membrane.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said nylon membrane is cut into strips perpendicular to the direction of the peptide composition, or peptide lines, and each strip is incubated with a diluted serum sample.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein said peptide composition, or peptide is present in wells of microtiter plates.
 21. A kit for the detection of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in a body fluid, comprising:a peptide composition, or peptide according to any one of claims 1-5 and 13, and a means for detecting an immunological complex formed between said peptide composition, or peptide and said antibodies.
 22. The kit of claim 21 further comprising a nylon membrane, said peptide composition, or peptide being present as lines on said membrane, said membrane being cut into strips perpendicular to the direction of the peptide lines, such that each strip can be incubated with a diluted serum sample.
 23. The kit of claim 21 further comprising a microtiter plate, said peptide composition being present in the wells of said microtiter plate.
 24. A peptide consisting of a combination of at least two peptides selected from the group consisting of:(XV) Glu-Asp-Glu-Arg-Glu-Ile-Ser-Val-Pro-Ala-Glu-Ile-Leu-Arg-Lys-Ser-Arg-Arg-Phe-Ala, (SEQ ID NO:16) (XVI) Leu-Arg-Lys-Ser-Arg-Arg-Phe-Ala-Gln-Ala-Leu-Pro-Val-Trp-Ala-Arg-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Asn, (SEQ ID NO:17) (XVII) Val-Trp-Ala-Arg-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Asn-Pro-Pro-Leu-Val-Glu-Thr-Trp-Lys-Lys-Pro-Asp-Tyr, (SEQ ID NO:18) (XVIII) Glu-Thr-Trp-Lys-Lys-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Pro-Val-Val-His-Gly-Cys-Pro-Leu-Pro-Pro, (SEQ ID NO:19), and (XIX) Val-His-Gly-Cys-Pro-Leu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Lys-Ser-Pro-Pro-Val-Pro-Pro-Pro-Arg-Lys-Lys, (SEQ ID NO:20). 